Have You Tried Aji Japanese Bistro In Town Center?

I just discovered Aji via a Town Center email (it's next to Chandra Thai) and have been there twice in the past two weeks! First let's talk food! The miso soup was great and you have to try the Aji-Mame…lots of seasonings on it and a bit of heat…so yummy! I never want to eat plain edamame again! The grilled shis---o peppers are definitely worth a try for a different appetizer. I love Sunomumo salad and Aji's is very tasty! I think our favorite has to be the gyoza with the ponzu sauce…probably the best gyoza I have ever eaten in my life…and I have eaten a lot of gyoza! We are not into sushi much…my fave is Inari so you can tell I'm not a big fish eater but my husband had their California roll and really enjoyed it. The first time we ate there was for lunch and my husband had the Chicken Teriyaki lunch combo ($9.50) it came with miso soup, green salad (def more elegant than most Japanese restaurants standard iceberg lettuce and dressing), rice, 2 piece California roll or Tekka Maki. He loved the chicken which is not always the case as he is often not the case when he ends up with fatty thigh meat at other restaurants. I had the shrimp and veggie tempura lunch combo and although the pieces were cooked perfectly and the batter was great the shrimp just can't hold a candle to the size and texture of the always delicious tempura shrimp at Blue Nami. Our next visit was for dinner with our 20 yr old son who is vegetarian. Again we ordered the Aji-Mame and had to get a second order of gyoza it was so good!! My husband tried the Grilled Teriyaki Steak dinner salad and ate every bite! He loved the steak presented slightly on the side of baby greens, spinach, red onion, snap peas and avocado…and the dressing was awesome! Another great meal at Aji! The decor is lovely…a major step up from most Japanese restaurants in the area…exception is Blue Nami. The servers we had were very professional and friendly…food came out in good time…and they had great knowledge of the menu. They serve lunch, social hour, dinner and have a section on the menu called "street foods & sides". The manager/owner(?) was on site both times we were there and was actively working the room and checking in on customers although he didn't check on us. I would not call Aji inexpensive but for the great food, atmosphere and fab service, the value is good! We are sure to become regulars here!

The best Gyozas I have ever had- were from a street vendor outside a bar in a little town called Pyongtaek, in South Korea. Deep fat fried in a portable cooker right in front of you, then dropped in a paper bag, salted and shaken and handed to you piping hot. Goes absolutely great with OB (national beer). I have never found Gyoza I truly liked since eating it outta a bag in Korea.